The Antwerp Academy of Fashion has reached the age of 55! This ripe age has allowed it to gradually grow and to become one of the best and most respected such academies in the world. These days, Antwerp is known as a city of fashion internationally.
The Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts is now famous right around the world but this was not always the case. Its creation in 1963 was heavily criticised. Naysayers thought that fashion had no business in a regional art academy. But the academy's first director, Mary Prijot, was able to make the right decisions which were based on French conceptions of elegance. She chose to pay particular attention to fashion graphics as well as fashion shows which rounded off each year of the curriculum.
Until 1981, the academy developed quite smoothly. Some of the so-called 'Antwerp Six' completed their studies there. They then put forward their avant-garde vision for the future, especially when it was compared to the more classic approach espoused by Mary Prijot. Since then, the school has taken its rightful place on the international stage. In 1985, Mary made way for Linda Loppa Prijot as the new director and Walter Van Beirendonck took over educational matters. Since 2006, he has operated as the head of the entire establishment.
The Antwerp Academy of Fashion has remained true to its avant-garde outlook while becoming more and more international. Its collections are extremely varied and show a great deal of freedom in terms of creativity. The artistic signature is at the heart of the academy's projects and students from around the world now come to study fashion in Antwerp. In fact, there are about fifty different nationalities represented at the school. For example, the South Korean student, Minju Kim, whose graduation collection 'My Dear Friend' was awarded the H & M Design Award in 2013.
After completing their studies, some of the students choose to settle in Antwerp, which is home to many talented people. This is the case, for example, with Devon Halfnight Leflufy and Haider Achermann. Others leave for careers in fashion around the world, working for some prestigious houses or launching their brand - as Cédric Jacquemyn, Christian Wijnants or AF Vandevorst all did. One could also cite some of the employees of Engel & Völkers who regularly wear some of the most famous signature pieces.
The end of year catwalk show is still widely anticipated. Each year, the show represents new challenges for students completing their studies. This is an opportunity for them to present their collections to the general public but also to a professional jury from around the world. It's time to get noticed, whether in Belgium or abroad, and to start a career that is – by definition - promising...
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Monday to Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 2pm
Sunday: Closed
